Sea of orange

That is what the front and back lawns of my house looked like on Saturday April 28. They were covered with whom we seniors call “Our Orange Angels,” this is our nickname for the Y.A.H.O.O (YOUNG ADULTS HELPING OUT OTHERS) group of volunteers from the seventh grade through high school who give up their Saturday mornings in the spring and fall to help seniors who are no longer able to do their yard work. They bring their smiles and laughter and a morning happiness to us all. When they leave our property is sparkling. They rake and spread mulch and weed flower gardens and anything you ask of them. There are also adults working right alongside them, some of their children have gone off to college but they still feel this is such a wonderful program, also showing the youngsters what a great job they are doing. These kids expect nothing in return except the gratitude of the people they are helping. They have learned it is gratifying to do something for someone and not expect anything in return. Their parents should be very proud of how their teachings have turned their youngsters into these wonderful young people. We won’t worry about the future of our country with kids like these. This is a wonderful program, started by Kevin Beaupre over sixteen years ago and when it was on the verge of closing we have thanks to our Selectman Rich Lane and his group for saving it. It takes a great deal of their time planning, buying equipment and those wonderful orange shirts the kids all wear and much much more. Other towns tried to follow Sterling’s example but realized how much work it takes to keep it all going that they failed. Also, we have great kids in Sterling and will be ever grateful to everyone involved in making it succeed.